Hudson's Octagon House Museum opens May 3

Submitted by Jacki Bradham The Octagon House Museum on Hudson's historic Third Street will open for the spring tour season on Friday, May 3. Walk-in tours are available Fridays through Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours begin on the hour with ...

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Apr 30th 2019 - 6am.

The Hudson City Brewery was founded by Louis Yoerg in 1870 and in 1896 became Casanova Brewing Company when it was sold to the Casanova Brothers. During prohibition Casanova Brewing switched over to bottling near beer and sodas. Photo courtesy of St. Croix County Historical Society

Submitted by Jacki Bradham

The Octagon House Museum on Hudson's historic Third Street will open for the spring tour season on Friday, May 3. Walk-in tours are available Fridays through Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours begin on the hour with the last tour starting at 3 p.m.

Each year a new theme is selected to highlight different aspects of our history. This year's museum theme "Prohibition: Temperance or Speakeasy" shares the story of how Prohibition was experienced locally. From temperance meetings at local churches to how local breweries and bars stayed open during the "dry" years. Prohibition began 100 years ago when the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified Jan. 16, 1919, prohibiting the production, transport and sale of alcohol.

The museum complex includes the Octagon House Museum; beautiful gardens; and the Garden House with general store, blacksmith shop, domestic arts and medical tableaux. The Museum Gift Shop, located in the Carriage House, features gifts and decorative items for the home and garden.

The St. Croix County Historical Society continues to seek new members and volunteers. If you are interested in preserving local history, please consider an annual membership or volunteering.

Currently the Historical Society is seeking additional volunteers to read scripts at our annual eighth grade tour on May 31. For more information or to volunteer, please contact the museum at 715-386-2654.